ARIAs 2017: Christian Wilkins reveals the top 5 moments you didn't see on TV

The ARIAs are Australia’s biggest night in music. For those watching at home, it’s a glamorous evening of awards, rock 'n' roll, and soaring performances. But there are so many amazing moments that didn't make it onto the screen and into your living room.

From my privileged view in Row E, Seat 32 (conveniently positioned next to the drink bucket), here are my top 5 ARIA Awards moments you may have missed:

5) Vera Blue’s costume changesVera Blue is setting a new standard in style. Arriving at the ARIAs in a gold Petar Petrov ruffled gown with matching gold Gucci boots, the young Australian Indie pop princess knocked me off my feet.

Only when I was just recovering from the blow did she then come out to perform 'The Horses' alongside Daryl Braithwaite and Guy Sebastian in a multi-coloured sparkly lurex Gucci gown.

Vera Blue; Image: Supplied

THEN at an after party hosted by Universal Records, I saw her perched upon her newly claimed fashion throne, swaddled this time in a floral Alice McCall dress accessorised perfectly with her fiery red mane.

This was a three for three, ladies and gents, when most of us struggle for a 0.5. Congrats, Vera, our secret fashion MVP.

4) Everybody’s sweat moustachesThis year, the ARIAs red carpet seemed like it was hosted, in part, on the sun. From pop princesses to urban poets, no one was safe from the Sydney heat. We watched publicists frantically dash for bottles of water, and press slick with sweat.

The comment of the night came from one of Australia’s red carpet veterans: "I'm sweating more than Don [Burke] did with Tracy [Grimshaw on A Current Affair] last night."

3) Izzi Manfredi’s Prada jacketThe lead singer of The Preachers, Izzi Manfredi, is set to open for his holiness Harry Styles on the Australian leg of his world tour. And she is one of my favourite people in the world! Always stylish, she arrived at the ARIAs wearing a pink Prada cocktail dress.

But halfway through the awards, The Star really started to crank the air-con. The crowd's shivers came in small waves at first. The bare-shouldered fashion animals began clutching at partners' and friends' blazers – all except the ever-prepared Miss Manfredi.

Izzy Manfredi (right) in her Prada jacket; Image: Supplied

From the depths of nowhere, the singer pulled out a pink and brown oversized fringed Prada cowboy jacket. Now if you know me, you know my favourite colour is pink second only to my other favourite colour: FRINGE!

The only thing that made this even better is that later, at the after party, I ran into Izzi… still in the jacket.

2) The food stampedeAfter a two-hour first act, complete with stellar performances from the likes of Lorde, Pnau, and Paul Kelly – and much libation from the bottles of Sav Blanc stationed between every 4 seats – the tummies of A-list guests were beginning to grumble. So when they called a 20-minute intermission, it was a stampede the likes that have not been seen since the one that killed Mufasa.

Rushing out myself for a pork and prawn dumpling, I was greeted by a line so long I would have starved to death by the time I reached the front. Lucky for me, my dear friend has long noodle-like arms and was able to ever so casually reach across the line to snatch a small morsel to keep me upright.

1) Mr Dickie Wilkins giving the Triple J boys a smidge of the businessLast night, I was proud to see my dear papa, Richard Wilkins, back hosting the ARIAs! Not only has he acquired a large portion of my grace and elegance, but now he even seems to be taking style cues from me. So proud!

But my heart really soared when Ben and Liam from Triple J took the stage to give the award for Best Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Album. They were welcomed to stage by the smooth dulcet tones of my dad, his voice enveloping the crowd like a warm velvet hug, letting you know that all was on track and the big man had it under control.

The boys thanked a "pre-recorded Dickie Wilkins voice recording" accompanied by cheeky sneers across their faces. But THUNDERING BACK like the great and powerful Oz, Mr Wilkins informed them that it was live and HE. WAS. WATCHING.

Sneers turned to shock, and their knees smacked together, as if in this re-enactment we had not one, but two cowardly lions. A sharp gasp then a sigh of laugher to break the tension made this, in my opinion, the funniest moment of the evening.

So there you have it! A sneak peek from Row E, Seat 32. I’m not normally one to kiss and tell, but I hope you have enjoyed these ARIAs secrets. Shhhh, don’t tell.

Head to 9Now to catch up on everything you missed at the 2017 ARIA Awards.